HYNDS LODGE AMPHITHEATER | Leslie & Jeff – Curt Gowdy State Park

Laramie & Cheyenne have no shortage of wedding venues. Some choose a beautiful option within city limits like Alexis & Clay while others look for something stunning and mountainous! One of the most popular local venues happens to be nestled in the middle of Curt Gowdy State Park and needs no decor, no rental seating and no introduction as it reserves for the whole summer on opening day. Get ready for the most picturesque, nonchalant and heartfelt wedding Hynds Lodge Amphitheater has ever seen. I know, I know that is a huge statement. This amazing venue sees literally hundreds of Bride’s & Grooms each summer. As wedding photographers, we also photograph for quite a few of them. None of them however have ever had a wedding day like Leslie & Jeff.

These two definitely told us how laid back and spontaneous they were hoping their day would be right from the start of their initial meeting. There would be no schedule, no planned or announced events, their day would have a ceremony start time and that was it. When they felt like dancing, they would. If there happened to be a cake and they felt like cutting it, they would. If friends and family felt inclined to toast, there would be toasts and if people chose to express their congrats privately, there would be no toasts.

It was such an interesting approach to the wedding day, one we had never encountered before. We definitely were up for the opportunity and quickly found out Leslie & Jeff’s day would be emotional, fun filled, and so genuine that it would be our supreme challenge to capture it all in photos. Here are a few of our favorites, get ready for a beautiful love filled story told by photos taken by yours truly.

Leslie & Jeff had such an amazing love story. Adore this shot of Jeff waiting on his lovely bride to walk down the aisle to say I DO.

One of the best things about getting married at Hynds Lodge Amphitheater is the amazing aisle the Bride walks down. There is definitely a majestic moment and Leslie’s trip down the aisle with her Father was such a perfect example!

Stolen glances from proud Papa’s will always a forever be one of our favorite things!

That kind of smile can only come from true love… These are the moments where our clients don’t even know the camera is pointed in their direction.

These two were lost in each other during the entire ceremony. Aren’t they just too adorable! There is a rustic stage at Hynds Lodge Amphitheater for the bride and groom to stand on. These two chose not to have any bridal party so it was just them and their officiant.

A family friend married this happy couple. We always think this is such a cool idea, your officiant is in SO MANY of your wedding photos. It is so nice to see someone who holds importance in your life vs a stranger.

These two chose to write their own vows. Absolutely adore when our clients choose to do this. Something so real life and honest about reading your own words, out loud to the love of your life.

There truly was not a dry eye in sight, these weren’t your typical run of the mill wedding vows! If you’ve never been to Hynds Lodge Amphitheater let us tell you, attending a wedding here is such a treat. The event feels so intimate yet has seating for so many friends and family members. It is such a beautiful place for a wedding ceremony.

Like Rick and I, these two met later in life. I think something about waiting on your soul mate just gives you an appreciation that is unmatched. You truly feel like you are the luckiest person in the world to have found someone so amazing.

The moment that ring went on, it was official!

After their Hynds Lodge Amphitheater ceremony these two chose to explore all of our favorite Fall color locations for their bridal portraits.

We spent a great deal of the morning before their ceremony looking for the prettiest Fall colors. We were in for a treat as God’s beautiful splendor was definitely on full display!

There is something so classic about a nice suit for the wedding day. Still classic and just as timeless as a tux, Jeff chose such dapper attire for their big day.

Aren’t these two so perfect. Still swooning over Leslie’s dress. It was a little bit summer, a little bit Fall and a lot of bit AMAZING!

Leslie & Jeff were so easy to photograph. They just fit one another so well and were so natural for their bridal portraits. Since they had their ceremony at Hynds Lodge Amphitheater we had all of Curt Gowdy State Park to explore.

Something about their portraits just shows such an easygoing forever kind of love. This is made even more so by the classic timeless feel of black and white for this one.

For their reception these two chose a laid back feel at such a cool Cheyenne, WY location. They met family and friends at Danielmark’s Brewing Company and took advantage of their super cute outdoor event space.

Picnic tables, yard games, fire pits and the most incredible laid back vibe! No seating chart, no schedule, just an amazing night under the stars with the people who were most important to them. PS: There totally was also a hula hoop on the dance floor most of the night which was super crazy fun!

One of the perks of having your reception at a brewery? The drinks are guaranteed to be amazing!

There was no announcement for any of their events. In fact there was no ‘event’ schedule to be seen for the night. These two did what they want, when they wanted and it was so low key and chill for sure.

Earlier in the evening we asked Leslie & Jeff if there would be dancing at their reception. Their response was that they hoped so! Nothing organized and planned was going to be occurring so if there was dancing it would be impromptu and organic. I am here to tell you there WAS dancing, so much dancing and it was so fun. Leslie’s playlist brought back all kinds of college vibes for me and I do have to admit I did a bit of dancing behind my camera when the Venga Boys – We Like to Party came on.

By the time the sun went down this dance party was in full swing. Friends and family young and old made their way to the moonlit dancefloor.

As is so perfectly them however, Leslie & Jeff spent the entire night surrounded by a crown but lost in one another. Even out in the middle of the worlds best wedding dance party.

LOCATION: Cheyenne, WY | CEREMONY: Hynds Lodge Amphitheater | Reception: Danielmark’s Brewery Company | PHOTOS: Ardent Photography | CATERING: Best Tacos & Burritos La Paz